Rep. Sam Singh endorses Stephens for City Council bid

Rep. Sam Singh (D-69th), who served on the East Lansing City Council for 12 years and served a term as mayor, endorsed upstart city council candidate Aaron Stephens Tuesday morning.

The endorsement is undoubtedly a bolster to Stephens’ campaign, injecting a high level endorsement and further legitimizing Stephen’s efforts.

Stephens, a current MSU student, is vying for one of two seats on council, running against current councilmembers Ruth Beier and Susan Woods.

“I met Aaron two years ago during the beginning of his college career, and got the opportunity to work with him during Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president,” Singh said in a press release. “He is a bright, fresh voice and after hearing his plan for our city, I am proud to endorse him for East Lansing City Council.”

An endorsement of Stephens by Singh had been in the works; Stephens told The State News last week before it was finalized and made official this morning.

“I have learned a great deal from Representative Singh. He is a role model of mine, and I am honored to have earned his support as I work to be East Lansing’s next city councilperson,” Stephens said in the release.

The endorsement comes nearly two months before city council elections on Nov. 7 and nearly a week before ASMSU is set to host a debate between the candidates.

“It's no small thing and I take it very seriously,” Stephens said in an interview last week. “The fact that he's putting his support behind me, you know I've always wanted to serve this city in the best way that I can but it just reinforces the fact that I take this race very seriously and that i take my position as a hopeful city councilmember just as serious.”